Analysis of Legislative Power Under the Constitution

Abstract

Introduction

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains today, one of the most important documents for discussion being the organic law relating to issues of governance. As the mode of governance affects the citizens directly or indirectly, the philosophy behind the examination of the document relating to it becomes imperative.

More specifically, law relating to the Constitution embraces that part of a country's laws which concerns the following topics, among others: the methods of choosing the Head of State; his powers and prerogatives; the composition of the legislature; its powers and privileges of its members; if there are two chambers, the relations between them; the general system of courts, and the tenure and immunities of judges; citizenship; civil liberties and their limitations.¹

Briefly this paper is a diagnosis of the provisions of the Constitution relative to legislative powers. In this regard an attempt will be made to examine the meaning of legislative powers, the repositories of such powers, the parameters for and the mode of exercise of such powers and proposal for reforms.